My son told me about this movie that they watched the other night called The Way. He told me that I would like it because it was clean and had a lot of important lessons about life. Or I should say it's about this journey we call Life. It was great! It made me grateful for my life, for each day I get to be here. It reminded me how grateful I am for my family, that I have to go through this journey with. And last but not least, it reminded me of how important friends are along our journey of life. They truly make life worth it and sweeter, thank you for that dear friends and family!
Good night!
 

THE WAY is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irascible American doctor who comes to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son (played by Emilio Estevez). Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage "The Way of St. James" to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on is the profound impact this trip will have on him. Through unexpected and oftentimes amusing experiences along "The Way," Tom discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose.”
Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. On "The Way," Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen), a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt), who is suffering from a bout of writer's block.
From the unexpected and, oftentimes, amusing experiences along "The Way," this unlikely quartet of misfits creates an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again. Through Tom's unresolved relationship with his son, he discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose."
THE WAY, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed entirely in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago
Found information here:

Brotherly Love

What a neat article my son Brad sent to me. Bradley has always had a love for Art, and a love for those with special needs, no wonder he loved this story. Now this is truly Brotherly Love at its best! Thank you Brad!

Enjoy and good night dear friends.

Tom & James Draw is the beau­ti­ful col­lab­o­ra­tive art project between James Gulliver Hancock and his brother Tom, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. Their work is gor­geous — lay­ered, col­or­ful and fas­ci­nat­ing. Here’s more:
Their col­lab­o­ra­tion is unique as they are shar­ing expe­ri­ences between the out­sider and “insider” art world. James iden­ti­fies with Toms abstract use of visual cod­ing and Tom builds around James’ skilled and con­fi­dent mark mak­ing. Tom relaxes James’ tech­ni­cal obses­sions, and James enables Tom’s con­cen­tra­tion and play­ful mark­mak­ing. Together they make worlds of expe­ri­ence, encom­pass­ing peo­ple around them and their actions, ani­mals, plants, engines, and some­times hilar­i­ous nods to the human expe­ri­ence and perception.
Both of them are inter­ested in obses­sion, both within mark mak­ing and the role obses­sion plays with per­cep­tion and life in general.

Found the article here:

Here is Brad's post on the story, he too writes a daily blog, he is his Momma's boy!

http://www.visualnews.com/2012/04/26/two-brothers-one-piece-of-art/

" To the world you may be just one person, but to just one person you may be the world"

Perspective

Perspective is an important thing to have in life! Some days... seem just perfect and yet on the very same day, things can seem all wrong. You can feel like you aren't as good as others, and wonder why?

This quote is one that I need to remember today, in many aspects it was just perfect but then on the other hand... it wasn't!  I guess there will be days like this! Good night dear friends!

Found the photo here:

Marriage

Tonight is Date Night and we had to do bills and some other chores, that we missed from being gone so long on vacation. It wasn't the best Date Night ever but...feeling responsible and getting your house in order was priceless! Good night dear friends!



"Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years."  ~Simone Signoret


"More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse."  ~Doug Larson

The Love of a pet!

My sister-in-law's cat passed away today. She had him for over 11 years. He was quiet the devoted companion to her and her girls. I personally have never enjoyed being around cats, but Tom was different. He was very calm and affectionate most of the time with me, so over the years... I have gotten less scared  of him. I have to admit  that I will miss him when I come to visit. Still, seeing him stressed out and sick so often the past few years, has been hard and I know it has been especially hard on my sister-in-law and her family!

We never had a pet when I was really little ( that I can remember ). But when we moved to 30 acre farm from the city, we automatically inherited a overweight dog named Dumplings ( how fitting ) and a blind cat. Not long after that, we had kittens and another dog ( after Dumplings passed away ), and then some steers, some Bunny's and occasionally a turtle and a few craw dads ( from the creek ). Still all of them were outside animals, so that is why it is tough for me to have an animal in the house.

The thing that helped me tolerate these in my home, is that they lived in a cage or a bowl. Still the kids got to at least have the responsibility and also experience the love of a pet.
So tonight my thoughts go out to my dear friend and sister-in-law, I know even though she knew the day was coming soon, I also know she is going to miss Tom tonight laying on her lap as she types on her computer ( like he does every time ). Hang in there Sister!

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

" It's really the cat's house - we just pay the mortgage".
Author Unknown

"Cats only pretend to be domesticated if they think there's a bowl of milk in it for them."
~Robin Williams

Happy Birthday Lee!

Happy Birthday to our little Lee, thanks what everyone used to call him when he was a toddler. Actually his sister Lauren called him Wee and then she said she was Wauwen. They are only 2 years apart and they have been buddies their whole life.

One thing that Lee wanted me to make him was bow ties, I really didn't think he would use them after I made them but...as you can see it did work for him!
It is hard to believe that just 19 years ago, they rushed me into the surgery to hurry and do the c-section because Lee's heart rate was dropping too fast! Just in minutes they place our 8lb 12oz baby Lee in our arms. Lee was our last baby and we were all crazy about him. He was our fussiest baby at the beginning but after about 3 months, he calmed down and became quiet the dream of a little baby. Of course life was busy for him with all of his siblings, still he didn't seem to mind it. He was either in the car seat taking his nap while we drop off or picked up his brother or sister, if he wasn't doing that then he was usually getting in to some kind of trouble with his very creative and mischievous sister Lauren.

He has been a tenderhearted boy and even though life right now has been really tough for him, we all believe he has it in him to figure it out and to grow and stretch from this trial in his life. Plus, their isn't any reason he shouldn't succeed,  because he has a big family behind him. We love you Lee! Happy 19th Birthday!

"Every year on your birthday, you get a chance to start new."
Sammy Hagar

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."  ~Jane Howard

"The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."  ~Erma Bombeck

Saying good bye to my little cowboy!

What a hard thing it is to leave and say good-bye to our sweet little cowboy! It has truly been fun, to meet him and be able to be a small part of his life already!  He is beginning to smile a little. Mostly for his Mommy and Daddy! Fun to see his cute little dimples when he does. I have a hard time realizing who babies look like at this young age, but when I go home I definitely need to look up Brad's baby book and compare their photos.
As I hold him, I am always amazed at the miracle of life...what a blessing to have him come to earth healthy and happy, that is nothing to take for granted. So I am starting to pack my bags for tomorrow. My flight is early in the morning. It was a treat to spend time with Brad and Krystal, it has been way too long since we have seen them. We really have missed them! How fun it is to see one of your own children, as a parent now. Brad is amazing with little Kai and Krystal...well, let's just say she came into Motherhood naturally; like she has done it her whole life. Actually being the oldest in the family, she did have alot of practice. Little Kai is truly a Mommy's boy, he knows the minute she comes in or leaves the room, it is amazing to see how much they know at such a young age.

So I will prepare to say good bye to my real little cowboy! The cowboy theme is what they are going to do his room in, and he is laying on his little cowboy and indians quilt that his Mommy made for him. Gotta love those handmade quilts! :)

So good night dear friends!

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."  ~Elizabeth Stone

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."
~Eda J. Le Shan

                             "Children reinvent your world for you."    ~Susan Sarandon

 

End of the Spear

Tonight we watched a movie called the End of the Spear, it was based off a true story and it had a really good message. It was about a boy years after his missionary Father was speared to death by natives, he returns to Ecuadorian jungle to mee the man who killed his Father.
Here is some information I found out about Jim Elliot in Wikipedia...

Legacy

 

Wheaton College commemorating Elliot and Ed McCully

Life magazine published a ten-page article on Elliot's and his friends' mission and deaths. After her husband's death, Elisabeth Elliot and other missionaries began working among the Auca Indians, where they continued evangelical work. She later published two books, Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot and Through Gates of Splendor, which describe the life and death of her husband. In 1991, the Jim Elliot Christian School was created in Denver, Colorado. In 1997, the Jim Elliot Christian High School was founded in Lodi, California.^[17]
In 2002, a documentary based on the story was released entitled Beyond the Gates of Splendor. In 2003, a musical based on the story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, entitled Love Above All, was staged at the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore by Mount Carmel Bible-Presbyterian Church. This musical was staged a second time in 2007 at the NUS University Cultural Centre. In 2006, a theatrical movie was released End of the Spear, based on the story of the pilot, Nate Saint, and the return trip of Saint's son attempting to reach the natives of Ecuador.

There were some really good messages and quotes in there. Of course Brad laughed at me most of the time because I had to keep closing my eyes during most of the killing parts. I have to admit, I am really a wuss when it comes to movies.

Motherhood

Motherhood has never gotten the credit that I think it deserves. I am always worried about young Mothers who now a days spend so much time on Internets and looking at blogs. I have also heard many young Mothers say how frustrated they get seeing all these successful Moms who seem to have it all, do it all, they are beautiful, thin, talented, successful, they have beautiful homes, handsome and perfect husbands, perfect kids and on and on. The truth is NO MOTHER can do it all. If they are successful and on and on, someone has to be  helping them do all the Mother things that they can't be doing while they are doing their business.
Once I had a full time working Mom, ask me what I did all day? I told her, I do everything you pay someone else to do for your family, while you work.
Now I don't have any bad opinions on working Moms, but I just want people to understand that the hardest job for any woman... is to be a Full Time Mom! That's why I thought this quote was so funny.
Hats off to all the hard working MOTHERS in the world, you help make the world a better place by the incredible children you raise! You really are making a difference, don't ever forget that!


"All mothers are working mothers." ~Author Unknown

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." ~Abraham Lincoln


"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Keep your fork!

---

I have probably used this story before... but I love it and believe it!

"Keep your fork. The best is yet to come."

A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. She asked her Pastor to come to her home to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral, and what scriptures she wanted read, and which outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Then she said, "One more thing... I want to be buried with a fork in my hand."
The pastor was surprised.
The woman explained, "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably say to everyone, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite time of the dinner, because I knew something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie - something wonderful. So, I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and wonder, ' What's with the fork?' Then, I want you to tell them, ' Keep your fork, because the best is yet to come.' "
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he bid the woman goodbye. He realized she had a better grasp of heaven than he did, and knew something better was coming.
At the funeral, when people asked him why she was holding a fork, the pastor told them of the conversation he had with the woman before she died. He said he could not stop thinking about the fork, and knew they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
Attributed to Roger William Thomas
Submitted to Ann Landers by Kay in California
I found this story here:

Found the photo here:
"The best way to get to heaven is to take it with you. " --Henry Drummond

108 Years of Joy!

What a great story! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Good night dear friends!

108 Years of Joy from an Optimistic Holocaust Survivor

 

Ready for some inspiration? So often now, with the world full of young people on the Internet, we miss the voices of those who have more life experience under their belt. Alice Herz Sommer is certainly one of these individuals, having lived a long 108 years, surviving the horrors of the holocaust where she lost much of her family, and yet still carries a smile on her face wherever she goes and even continues to play the piano 3 hours a day. What makes this outstanding woman keep such a happy and positive outlook on life? Here she enlightens self-improvement guru Anthony Robbins in an endearing interview sure to motivate and inspire you.
Sommer’s outlook on life is reminiscent of the writings of Victor Frankl, another survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, who later developed a psycho therapeutic method of finding meaning in all forms of existence, even the most trying ones. Her philosophy of always looking back in life, focusing on thankfulness and always smiling even through the hard things, are an inspiring look at the power of clearly deciding ones perspective and thus altering the course of your life for the positive… and it’s in stark contrast to her twin sister who lived life as a pessimist.
For more about Sommer’s incredible life and how she continues to put a smile on her face each day, you can read her book A Garden of Eden in Hell, which she authored at the young age of 104 years old.
I found this story here:

"I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter."   ~Walt Disney

 

"The measure of mental health is the disposition to find good everywhere."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

"Positive things happen to positive people."   ~Sarah Beeny

We bought a zoo!

Today was a great day, we got to see some of the beautiful beaches here in Southern California. Actually the weather has been a bit rainy and cold the last couple of days ( felt like I was at home ).  Then our nephew came to visit today and that was great, it had been quite a few years since we had seen him. Hard to believe that it had been that long.
I also got to talk my girls today, not sure they completely understand where Nana is, but they knew I was with Baby Kai!
Tonight, we watched the movie We Bought A Zoo!  It was a great movie and it was based off a true story. I love movies that make you feel better at the end like that. So my happy thought for tonight is based from the movie..."it is important to make every day and Adventure!" So glad that Jeff and I were able to come to see our little Kai. He is just too sweet. We are loving having the chance to get to know him, how grateful we are that he is here safe and sound. We realize that is a blessing in and of itself.  Well, I still have 7 more days left in this adventure, and I am excited!

What's the story?

It's been six months since journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) lost his wife to terminal illness, and his family is fraying at the edges. His 14-year-old son, Dylan (Colin Ford), has been expelled from school. His 7-year-old daughter, Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), acts as if she has no time for play dates, so worried is she about her father and about helping out, even if it's just making PBJ sandwiches. Mee is anxious for all of them to heal, as is his brother (Thomas Haden Church), but he doesn't know how to help the process along. A change of scenery is clearly in order, but does that really mean buying a house on the outskirts of Los Angeles that, yes, comes with a zoo that he has to manage? Considering that Mee has no experience, he must rely on zookeeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her team to pull through in time to pass inspections and open for the summer season.  

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/we-bought-zoo

Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

---

 

True friends!

I used to think that I had to be friends with everyone! I worried if someone didn't like me and would spend alot of time and effort, trying to make them like me and become my friends. Thank goodness for age, years, time,mistakes or whatever you want to call it... that brings wisdom. I now understand that I don't need to apologize over and over again for something that I really didn't even do. My job... is to be friends with those who build me up, believe in me and who treat me with love and respect.  ( What a concept ! )
So I loved this photo and quote, it really is important to turn around and see all the people who are always there for us,  and always behind you... no matter what you do or choose in life! Those are your true friends, they don't take advantage of you, that don't belittle little you ( joking or not ), and they don't judge you.

I have to admit, it is nice to be with your true friends! They make life better and in every way...and that is a much nicer way to live! Speaking of friends...good night dear friends!

   " A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

      “Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

Mom’s Last Laugh  

Consumed by my loss, I didn’t notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend — my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense, I found it hard to breathe at times.

Always supportive, mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father’s death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.
When mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor.
“What now, Lord?” I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before meas an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife’s hand.
My sister sat slumped against her husband’s shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished and I was alone.
I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears.
He began to sniffle. ”I’m late,” he explained, though no explanation was necessary. After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, “Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of ‘Margaret’?”
“Oh” “Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her ‘Mary,’ I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn’t have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
“No, that isn’t correct,” he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, “Her name is Mary, Mary Peters.”
“That isn’t who this is, I replied..”
“Isn’t this the Lutheran church?”
“No, the Lutheran church is across the street.”
“Oh.”
“I believe you’re at the wrong funeral, Sir.”
The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man’s mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter.
I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.
The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me.He was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit.
I imagined mother laughing.
At the final “Amen,” we darted out a door and into the parking lot. “I do believe we’ll be the talk of the town,” he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt’s funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.
That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place.
A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time. In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, “Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it’s truly a match made in heaven.”

Oh happy day!

Today has been a wonderful day! I got up early and headed off for California to see my sweet grandson! I made a new friend on the plane ride. She was such a fun lady to talk to, and so we swapped information and now I have another new friend! So that made me happy of course.
 Then when I got off the plane I was able to finally hold my sweet grandson. He is already 3 weeks! I don't have any photos of us together yet, but gee I am in love all over again with this sweet little man! Then I got on line and got to see photos of  my sweet neices that my daughter took of them. But this one particularly made me smile... when I saw her be so happy, that's how I feel today!

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Good night dear friends!

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

My mom gave me a call this evening and apparently there was a miscommunication on my dad’s part, so it turns out she is leaving for her trip tomorrow not Wednesday like she originally thought. So she is scrambling to get things done before she leaves. As you can tell you’ll be hearing from me tonight!

I am now on spring break right now, which means I just finished finals which was a week of insanity. But I am finally done and I can finally relax. For one of my courses I had to do a novel analysis, in which I chose C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce.

C.S. Lewis is one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and one could even say that he is one of the most influential Christian writers of his day. he wrote The Great Divorce in the 1940’s roughly 10 years after he became a Christian. This book (in the form of a dream) was written in rebellion to William Blake’s epic poem, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. which held the popular belief that all roads lead to God, no matter the choices you make in this life it will all lead to God. Lewis disagreed with this theory, and highlighted in his book the importance of decisions and choices. The plot it that people in Hell can take a bus to visit Heaven, and if they so choose they can remain there. The Spirit’s in Heaven try with vigor to bring the “ghosts” from Hell into Heaven, but to no avail, those '”ghosts” returned to Hell. Lewis, watches these interactions in awe that those people would turn away from the light, a mentor arrives to explain, “The choice of lost souls can be expressed in the words ‘Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven ‘. There is always something they insist on keeping even at the price of misery.” (Lewis71 & Milton)

In the end there comes a conclusion; “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those, whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell chose it.” (Lewis 75) It was an incredible read, inspiring and thought provoking. He shows us that life is full of choices and that they all do matter in the grand design of our Heavenly Father. He was would love to see all of his children return to the light and come to Heaven, yet he shows that He truly love us because He allows us to exercise our own free will, and make our own decisions.

Finally I am almost ready to go see my boys....and my sweet daughter in law. I just realized last night that I was leaving on Tues instead of Weds ? Duh!  So today or I should say yesterday... was non stop, lots of good things in it were accomplished but it was non-stop. Need to go to bed and try to sleep some. But I think I have all my projects done at least. So my positive quote for today is.... Always remember to be FLEXIBLE, because life will always throw you curves"

Good night dear friends! Nana is on her way to California!!!!

"

"It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons."  ~Friedrich von Schiller


"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."

  ~Walter M.Schirra, Sr.

Happy Easter

Today is Easter, what a wonderful holiday. How grateful I am for my Savior's life.
 I feel like the things I could say about Easter...could be better said and felt, through this song and video that you can find here:


Happy Easter dear friends!

My girls!

"From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?"

Here are my beautiful for girls! What a crazy time it was raising them. They were as different as night and day and yet both a kick to raise. I look at them now and all that they have accomplished already in their young lives, and I am thrilled that the next generation just got better! I love them so much and still love being around them , just like my boys...each one different and yet amazing at the same time.

Now since I raised these two, I figured that I could at least handle having these two for at least a few days. What a difference, they both are different and yet it is funny to see how much they are like their Mom and Aunt Lauren. As we got them ready for bed tonight, Jenny said that she wanted to say the prayers. As we closed our eyes, we heard Jenny's little pretend voice saying the prayer as she used her Stuffed Elephant to supposedly be saying the prayer instead of her. Angie and I tried to stay serious, but by the end of the prayer, we were both rolling on the floor. Yes Jenny is ALOT like her Aunt Lauren, never a dull moment.

Right before Angie went to bed, we read and talked about the real meaning of Easter. I remembered again why it is so important to really know what you believe when you have kids around...because they always ask WHY, and they want an answer to each of them. As we laid there and talked about other things, I realized how blessed I am to be able to spend this time with Angie while she is growing up. After I turned out the lights she said " Nana, thank you for letting me talk to you!" I was on cloud 9! I love these girls! I am very tired... but what a neat experience this was to watch them, while their Mom and Dad were out of town. Hope we get more of these opportunities with all our grand kids.

Good night dear friends!

"A grandchild fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty."

4 Day Sleep-over

Jeff and I are babysitting our two granddaughters for four days. I was concerned that my back wouldn't be strong enough (since just last week it was really out ) but so far so good. I have to remember as I am going 24/7 with both of them, that I can really do this. As Grandparents, you usually only have them for a little while and then they head home, so four days... seems like a big undertaking. Although I am more tired tonight than normal, we had a really fun day.
10:00 said good by to Mom and Dad, unpacked clothes and set up all their stuff ( blankets, clothes, stuffed animals, trinkets and treasures). 11:00 had a snack and just talked about funny things and laughed alot.
11:30 went to the sewing room and made 6 flannel egg shapes and fill them with rice for a bean bag like toss that we are going to do at our Bunny Carnival on Friday ( our idea ).
1:00 cleaned up the sewing room and all the rice in the carpet that never made it into the egg. Then headed up stairs for lunch.
1:00 -1:45 more stimulating conversations, and then got Jenny into bed for a nap. She slept form 2:00 till 5 :15 while Angie and I snuggled and watched a movie, then made a bunny poster and bunny tail ( from a homemade pom pom ) for the pin the tail on the Bunny game tomorrow. 5:30 Poppa came home and helped up make a fishing pole and glue a magnet on the end of the string for the  ( Bunny goes fishing game tomorrow ). Then he wrestled with the girls for a while and then off to Taco Del Mar for dinner ( their favorite) . I just brought some veggies, since almost everything there would have been way too many points for my Weight Watcher's diet.
By 7:45 we were off to Target to just look around and get a few things, most of the time was in the toy section, didn't buy anything... just looked.
8:45 pm we were late getting the girls into the bath, but did it and washed and dried their hair fast so we could do all the night time routine and get to bed. They have beautiful hair, but man it felt like we were doing two Rapunzel's hair when we were trying to wash and dry them both.
Finally, they were down and did very well.  So excited about their Bunny Carnival that we prepared for all day!
Did I mention how tired I was? Yes, it is possible for Nana and Poppa to watch their grand kids for 4 days but no one said it would be easy!  But like the last quote says... it was a good day because no one bit or hit anyone...that is really a good day.
How blessed I feel to be a  Nana and to be well enough to do this with them. I know they may not always live close by us, so I am extra grateful for that time we have with them. The icing on the cake will come next week...
 when I fly out to see my new little Grandson! Can't wait! Good night dear friends, and good night sweet girls!
Need to go to sleep myself...this Bunny has a big day planned ahead of her! :)

Life's lessons

Today was a great day. I was able to teach my class and it was standing room only. We had a good time, and I am always grateful that the ladies are so forgiving of my mistakes that I make. It is almost a common thing for me to make a few mistakes each project...then the fun part is trying to create something from that mistake, even if it is only a good reminder to them...of what not to do! :)  Sometimes I actually have fun trying to create something from those mistakes ...just so I don't have to waste the material. But we have fun and that is really what matters!

Tonight when I got home and started checking my email, I received a sad letter from a dear friend. She said that she and her family had lost their home 2 weeks ago, from a fire. Even through all of this, she was still counting her blessings...like that her family was all safe. What an incredible lady she is. I have always wondered what you would do if you lost everything, how do you handle a trial like that? Then I realized from this friend, that you remind yourself of the blessings that you still have...your family and your health.
I do know that life will be hard, I can't even comprehend what she and her sweet family are going through, but I do know that I can pray for them. And that is what I will do. Also I can remember more often my blessings that really count...my family, my friends, my health and my faith.
Good night dear friends!

Funny day!

Today was a day full of mishaps and errors. There was at one point where I thought I should just sit down and have a good cry or go to bed, but then for some reason...when I thought of what happened...I just laughed. So many times people have told me to write a book, but honestly some times I don't think people would really believe what happens to me. I would actually like to tell you some of them today, but they are alittle to ackward and I am not sure we know each other that well ....or that you want to know that me that well?  Let's just say that I am grateful that have a good sense of humor...it truly has been what saved me on many days ...like today!
I felt this quote said it all... and now before something else crazy can happen... I am going to bed. Good night dear friends!


"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road".   ~Henry Ward Beecher

"A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles."   ~Mignon McLaughlin

Story of a true friend!

Well, I found this story and really liked what the soldier said...Our choices do matter! " We need to do what feels right deep down inside, it can make all the difference... and it does matter! Still battling this cold, Sunday I was better and today for half the day. Need to head to bed early, have an appointment with the Dentist for a crown at 8:30 am...isn't that an exciting way to start your day? Oh well, I need it before I head to see my new grandson, so it is all good!
Good night dear friends!

Military Story: True Friend

Horror gripped the heart of the World War I soldier as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. Caught in a trench with continuous gunfire whizzing over his head, the soldier asked his lieutenant if he might go out into the “no man’s land” between the trenches to bring his fallen comrade back.
“You can go,” said the lieutenant, “but i don’t think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away.” The lieutenant’s advice didn’t matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously he managed to reach his friend, hoist him onto his shoulder and bring him back to their company’s trench. As the two of them tumbled in together to the bottom of the trench, the officer checked the wounded soldier, and then looked kindly at his friend.
“I told you it wouldn’t be worth it,” he said. “Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded.”
“It was worth it, though, sir,” said the soldier.
“What do you mean; worth it?” responded the Lieutenant. “Your friend is dead.”
“Yes, Sir” the private answered. “But it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him saying, “Jim…, I knew you’d come.”

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Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how u looks at it. Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life. May each and every one of you be blessed with the company of TRUE FRIENDS. A true friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out. War doesn’t determine who’s right. War only determines who’s left.
Found the story here:

photo was found here:

Family

Last night Jeff and I watched the movie...Cheaper By The Dozen and instead of laughing like I usually do, it made me cry. Well OK, the end always makes me cry but... for some reason this time it was even harder. Why? Because Jeff and I are here by ourselves. I am missing Lee and Lauren and all their funny comments during a movie. I am missing my kids, Krystal and Brad, and so wishing we lived a bit closer to hold our new little Kai ( but that will be soon ).
In the movie they had 12 kids, that is a lot...but to be honest with you, when the kids were little and I had all 4 of them out with me...people always asked if I had a Day Care. They about swallowed their tongues when I said "no they are all mine ". I loved saying that, I love knowing that, I love my big family.
So we may not have 12, but we have 9... and we feel blessed to have each one of them. I don't want to brag because I know there are many of you who weren't able to have any kids or grand kids, and I am sorry about that. I am glad that so many of you have become family to all of our kids and grand kids, we feel blessed to have you! Life is tough sometimes, lots to learn on this journey isn't there?
Glad at least we can do it together! Good night dear friends!



"The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."  ~Erma Bombeck


"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."  ~Joyce Brothers